The Speaker of the house of representatives, RT. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has condoled with the family, Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association(ANDA) and Newspapers Vendors Association,Abuja (NVAA) over the gruesome murder of Mr. Ifeanyi Okereke, an Abuja newspaper vendor who was killed in cold blood when he was shot at from close range at Federal Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday by a security detail in the convoy of Mr. speaker.
The ruthless and wanton killing of this innocent vendor sparked off protests by members of the associations in Abuja to register to grievances and bereavement.
In a condolence letter signed by Mr. Speaker and was given to Mr . Benjamin Obute when he led other Executive members of the associations to a meeting with principal aides of the Speaker of House of representatives, the Speaker said:
” The unfortunate death of Mr Ifeanyi Okereke at the hands of one of my security aides has left me shaken.
” Mr Okereke was a citizen going about his business trying to make a living for himself and his family. There is no reason for his life to have ended the way it did.”
According to the Speaker, the security operative that committed this dastardly act has been handed over to DSS for proper action. He revealed :
“This morning, I have handed over the security operative, Abdullahi M. Hassan to the Department of State Security for investigation and appropriate administrative and judicial action. In the interim, he has been suspended from the convoy.”
Mr Gbajabiamila assured them of his commitment to get justice for the deceased and support his immediate family as he stated:
“I expect and I will see to it that the family of Mr Ifeanyi Okereke received full measure of justice so that their bereavement is not compounded by any action that can cause them further pain and suffering.
“I have expressed my personal condolence to his family and have arranged to meet with them when the parents of Mr Okereke who are already on their way, arrived in Abuja.
“Additionally, I have committed to them that I will support his wife and the immediate family he has left behind.
I commiserate with the family of Mr. Ifeanyi Okereke and ask all Nigerians to join me at this time to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.”
